Monthly Archives: October 2010

One year old sessions are always special sessions… they come to me with their decidedly strong personalities in these chubby little bodies, contagious smiles, and this inexplicable power to make you do their bidding. I don’t know how else to explain it but they just run the show with their intense gazes, curious looks, smiles and giggles and their “ooh! A flower!” momentary distractions… A one year old is always two things: unique and unpredictable. Sophie was like this of course, and in her own way, ran the show. I couldn’t stop shooting her.. her final gallery was ginormous… so many expressions, so many wardrobe changes and so much fun!

Matthew was angelic. He had this serene, peaceful look about him for almost the entire session. A beautiful, content newborn for sure, with a lush head of hair that made me melt. Congrats again to the S Family – he is beautiful!

Inspiration is an awesome thing. It drives the artistic world and fuels artistic industries. Without it, I don’t know where our fashion would be, our technology, and our art. Inspiration can lead you in directions you never even dreamed possible.

Baby Jack, snuggled up in this nest, is an undoubtedly inspired image. It’s inspired by years of observing and admiring newborn photography, by experience in photographing newborns, and, of course, by simply being a mother. It’s also inspired by a signature work of art created by the Baby as Art team. Brittany Woodall & Carrie Sandoval created an image of a baby hanging from a branch in a sling (also an inspired image). It’s an image that conjures up stories of storks bringing wished-for babies to doorsteps. It’s a beautiful tale and one exquisitely told in such an image. BAA has gone on to inspire many photographers to create similar images, and each applies their own creative flair. They inspired me to take it one step further…to look at the image a little bit differently and to express myself in my own way. I thought about how much I love C & B’s image and why. And after a few months – a new image came to me. The inspiration is clearly there - but other than the subject and a tree branch – a distinct call to nature, giving the image an overall organic feel, there are few – if any – other similarities. It is my take…and it’s a different story. One that attempts to express the newness and fragility of a newborn by relating that to the life of a new hatchling in the nest.

Coincidentally, this baby’s grandmother is a birdwatcher…making this image that much more special to this family.

Before I post the image I must post a disclaimer: this image absolutely, without a doubt, has some photoshop magic applied to it. Baby was spotted by a parent tasked with nothing else other than baby’s safety at all times. This is so critical in newborn photography today. There are so many newcomers out there today that might unintentionally risk a baby’s safety in an attempt to duplicate an image they’ve seen elsewhere created by a far more experienced photographer, because they don’t know or understand the mechanics involved in creating such an image. In order to not mislead, I feel it is my reponsibility to let you know that.

And now, baby Jack (who I adore!) – you’d be hard pressed to find a more wished for baby. It was my pleasure and honor to photograph him for Tatiana and her husband Jonathan.

This adorable little peanut is now a big sister! This is 9 month old Anna, and her beautiful mama who – in these photos – was expecting Anna’s little brother. At the moment, we are getting ready for baby brother’s newborn session and I can’t wait to meet him. But here, it was Anna’s 9 month mini-session, along with a mini maternity.

Wait, did she just say mini session?

Yes, I did. Mini sessions are an option for my baby planners. What’s a baby plan, you ask? It’s special packages and offers for clients who want to do more than 2 portrait sessions in one year. You may not know that if you never contacted me for baby plan information. It’s perfect for baby’s first year, for multiple children, and it’s really, really easy, so email me if you have questions.

But there’s more to this mini session story… I will soon be offering mini sessions to my maternity clients. I’ve been working on some irresistible packages for maternity sessions and full details are coming soon.

In the meantime – I have to say, don’t you just want to hate on her pretty hair and beautiful eyes? And the dress… she just looks so effortlessly graceful and elegant here.

Congrats again to the F. family – I can’t wait to meet your new addition and to see Anna when she turns one – I’m so looking forward to watching your beautiful children grow!

You did it for your wedding. You may have done it for your engagement. You will do it for her first birthday. You will do it for his 2nd birthday and every birthday thereafter. And you will definitely do it for each and every graduation.

What is it that you did? Celebrate. You will celebrate the milestones of your life and of your children’s lives. You will mark each and every special moment in some way – be it big or small – and for so, so many of them, you will hire a professional photographer. Why? Because those photos are ever so important to you, because the moments are irreplaceable, and because you can’t waste time being behind the camera because you are far too busy being in front of it, living it – exactly where you need to be. So… tell me. Why is that you don’t see your pregnancy that way?

I’m here to tell you that you need to stop and see that. Before it’s gone. Before you are 39.5 weeks and your doctor is talking about an induction and you finally start to realize – this little miracle that has been going on for the past 9 months is about to be over and convert over to a new and different miracle. A new miracle that needs to be celebrated on it’s own, in it’s own way - differently.

But now…right now… it’s your time. It’s a special time, a special milestone and a special moment to capture. I don’t care if it’s your 1st or 5th pregnancy. Any woman will tell you – each and every pregnancy is special. Your body is changing, your relationship with your signficant other is about to change, your relationship with your other children is about to change and you, yourself, are changing. Why wouldn’t you celebrate?! That’s what a maternity session is – a celebration.

Here is Tanya. Well into her 33rd week of expecting her 2nd child, a little girl (who was born last week, btw, and yes, now you know how far behind I am on blogging!). She is the cousin who probably looks most like me. We are so alike in so many ways. And while I often see her as kind of a little sister, here I see her as a woman, a mother…and all the undeniable beauty that comes with that.

For maternity sessions, I definitely feel the need and desire to experiment more – not just with posing, lighting, and locations – but with processing as well. It’s the only time I will ever really deviate from my fresh, clean, vibrant processing. So here is a softer and creamier processing that I loved for this particular portion of this session…

So, if you are pregnant and still on the fence about a maternity session – just remember, whatever you decide – this is most definitely a time to celebate! =)